When finding a good insurance agent in Indianapolis, Indiana, we recommend you start your research by comparing rates online instead of calling around. Chances are good you’re wanting a good professional insurance agent, but you also want great rates as well.
With Allstate, Farmers, State Farm and many independent agents all competing for your business, it can be hard to know which provider will provide the best rates, service and coverage. Fortunately, consumers can use online price quotes to get a list of agents and thier coverage prices.
When it comes to buying coverage for your vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Each situation is unique.
These are some specific questions may help highlight if your situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If you can’t answer these questions then you might want to talk to an agent.
Licensed agents can point out coverage gaps and help in the event of a claim. The best thing about price shopping on the web is you may find the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent. Buying from small agencies is especially important in Indianapolis.
Upon completion of this simple form, your insurance data gets sent to agents in your area who will return price quotes for your business. There is no reason to leave your house as quotes are delivered to your email. It doesn’t get any easier!
When searching for a good insurance agency, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents that you can select. Indianapolis agents are categorized either independent or captive. Both insure your vehicles, but it’s worth mentioning how they are different since it can impact buying decisions.
Independent agents are not locked into one company but rather can write business with multiple insurance companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If your agent finds better pricing, an independent agent can move your coverage and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When comparing rates, you should always include several independent insurance agents to have the most options to choose from. They often place coverage with smaller companies which can be an advantage.
Below are independent agencies in Indianapolis that may be able to provide rate quotes.
This type of agents have only one company to place business with and examples are AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. Captives cannot compare other company’s rates so keep that in mind. They receive extensive training in insurance sales and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers sometimes purchase coverage from captives partially due to the brand legacy and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
Shown below are Indianapolis captive insurance agents that are able to give price quotes.
To view a full list of Indianapolis captive agents, view this link.
Selecting an auto insurance agent requires more thought than just a low price. Agents should be asked these questions:
Once you have received positive feedback to your questions and an affordable coverage quote, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agent that can insure your vehicles.
Car insurance agents are a valuable resource, but you can also buy Indiana car insurance direct from companies online. Some companies like Allstate and State Farm who employ agents also allow consumers to buy online, and that can save time if you want to do it yourself.
If you’re uneasy about whether or not you’ll have guidance when buying direct, this is a normal reaction for first-time shoppers. All companies that allow you to purchase coverage all provide contact methods to help you decide which coverages are appropriate. They also offer the ability to chat online live with a sales rep and online research that can help answer basic questions.
The only way to know if prices are better online or from an agent is to get price quotes for both. Lots of times people will get different prices for the exact same company from their agents and their website. It’s difficult to tell which has the best rates until you actually compare rates both ways.
Can you find lower rates online? The answer to that question is complicated since there are so many components that influence how your policy is priced. It’s a common assumption that shopping online for auto insurance saves by not paying a commission. But in reality, advertising and marketing take a lot of money and that can quickly cost more than paying an agent.
Much more information about car insurance in Indiana is located on the Indiana Department of Insurance website through this link. Consumers can report car insurance fraud, learn about specific coverages, download brochures, and view a list of available companies.
When you buy insurance online, do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. Too many times, an insured cut liability coverage limits and learned later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.
Insureds switch companies for many reasons like lack of trust in their agent, questionable increases in premium, delays in paying claims and unfair underwriting practices. No matter why you want to switch, switching car insurance companies is less work than it seems.